Parang sa classroom lang! Tardy congressmen will be locked out of plenary hall

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 22) — With the hope of addressing tardiness, the House of Representatives will lock the doors of the session hall once the attendance is called starting July 25, which marks the Congress' second regular session.

"We've been wasting time waiting for members to trickle in for the Roll Call, to the prejudice of those who show up at 4 p.m.," House Majority leader Rodolfo Farinas said, adding the new rule was agreed upon by lawmakers during their last caucus.

President Rodrigo Duterte will also deliver his second State of the Nation Address on July 25.

Session in the lower house starts at 4 p.m., but only 3 to 5 representatives arrive on time. Other lawmakers even arrive an hour late.

"Anyone not responding to the call will be marked absent, except those attending committee hearings as authorized by the Rules Committee or the Majority Leader. It's about time," Farinas added.

The Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative said the session hall will only be opened after the roll call.

The House shall not transact any business without a quorum, which consists of majority of all the members, according to the Rules of the House.

The attendance record in the previous Congress published in its website does not reflect tardiness of House representatives.